Importance of Mental Health Awareness

According to the data gathered, Mental illnesses affect 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers, and 13% of children each year. People struggling with their mental health may be in your family, live next door, teach your children, work in the next cubicle, or sit in the same church pew. In simple it's everywhere.

However, only half of those affected receive treatment and even open their condition to others, often because of the stigma attached to mental health. Untreated, mental illness can contribute to higher medical expenses, poorer performance at school and work, fewer employment opportunities, and increased risk of suicide as now trending nowadays.

Did you really know what mental illness is?

Mental illness is a physical illness of the brain that causes disturbances in thinking, behavior, energy, or emotion that make it difficult to cope with the ordinary demands of life.

Research is starting to uncover the complicated causes of these diseases which can include genetics, brain chemistry, brain structure, experiencing trauma, and/or having another medical condition, like heart disease.

Since 1949, the month of May has been known as Mental Health Awareness Month. Each year, when May is over, I wonder why we’re not encouraged to be aware of our mental health all year, every year, just as we are for our so-called physical health. Given all we know about the effects of anxiety and depression on our bodies and immune systems, this question is vital.

As Harvard Health pointed out in 2008, “Anxiety has now been implicated in several chronic physical illnesses, including heart disease, chronic respiratory disorders, and gastrointestinal conditions.” These conditions are no joke, so why don’t we take mental health more seriously?

There's no joke and kidding aside in such a condition or an illness. Some people make other people's condition fun and they discriminate against them. Sigma and discrimination are now less nowadays however there still that kind of treatment because many people are still close-minded in such issues. Still lack of understanding and sometimes fear. How many times have you heard “I literally had a panic attack”, “She’s so bipolar”, or “He’s a little OCD, haha”? or even "You are so emotional and sensitive! I can't take you anymore." If you’ve never struggled with a mental health issue, you may not give these phrases a second thought. Those who do struggle can get the message to battle in silence, given a lack of understanding and compassion for their situation. This is particularly true of the most vulnerable in our midst, teens, and tweens, who are often dealing with emerging mental health disorders.

So wake up buddy!

Let's stand and share about Mental Health Awareness.

Although the general perception of mental illness has improved over the past decades even now in our times, studies show that stigma against mental illness is still powerful, largely due to media stereotypes and lack of education, and that people tend to attach negative stigmas to mental health conditions at a far higher rate than to other diseases and disabilities, such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease. Stigma affects not only the number seeking treatment but also the number of resources available for proper treatment. Stigma, fear, and misinformation can feel like overwhelming obstacles for someone who is struggling with a mental health condition.

So, How can you help?

These are simple steps to do this mental health awareness.

• Showing individuals respect and acceptance - removes a significant barrier to successfully coping with their illness. Having people see you as an individual and not as your illness can make the biggest difference for someone who is struggling with their mental health.

• Supporting within your circles of influence - helps ensure these individuals have the same rights and opportunities as other members of your church, school, peers, and community.

• Learn, study, and educate more about mental health - it can allow us to provide helpful support to those affected in our families, friends, love ones, and communities.

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